GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Abortive (), a. [L. abortivus, fr. aboriri. See Abort, v.]
   1. Produced by abortion.as, “an abortive child”. [R.]
   
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   2. Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, “abortive vellum”. [Obs.]
   
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   3. Rendering fruitless or ineffectual. [Obs.] “Plunged in that abortive gulf.”  Milton.
   
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   4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, “an abortive attempt”. “An abortive enterprise.” Prescott.
   
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   5. (Biol.) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, “an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.” AS
   
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   6. (Med.) (a) Causing abortion; as, “abortive medicines”. Parr. AS  (b) Cutting short the period of an illness; as, “abortive treatment of typhoid fever”.
   
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2.       
   Abortive, n.
   1. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. [Obs.]  Shak.
   
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   2. A fruitless effort or issue. [Obs.]
   
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   3. (Med.)  A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion; -- also called an abortifacient. Dunglison.
   
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